The Canadian government announced it is creating over 1,200 paid internships for post-secondary graduates.
The government said the internships will be provided through the Digital Skills for Youth program, which aims to help recent graduates find work experience and develop digital skills. The internships under the Digital Skills for Youth program will be available until March 31, 2020.
“Equipping recent graduates with real-life work experience and a broad range of skills and knowledge will help improve their employability and enhance their career potential.”
Specifically, post-secondary graduates will be paired with small businesses or not-for-profit organizations. The organizations currently recruiting interns include Canadian Media Producers Association, Colleges and Institutes Canada, the Ontario Library Association, Communautique, the Pinnguaq Association, the University of Calgary, the Vancouver Community Network, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Province of Prince Edward Island.
“In a modern workplace, digital skills are highly valued. Equipping recent graduates with real-life work experience and a broad range of skills and knowledge will help improve their employability and enhance their career potential,” said Navdeep Bains, the minister of innovation, science, and economic development. “As the economy changes and becomes increasingly knowledge-based, digital skills have never been more critical. Our government is proud to deliver a program that will help 1,200 Canadians gain meaningful work experience and develop digital literacy required for the middle-class jobs of tomorrow.”
The announcement follows the government’s commitment from Budget 2017, when it promised $73 million to support new co-op and integrated learning opportunities for companies in in-demand fields.
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